Crime: At the Royal Bhutan Police’s annual crime conference in Thimphu yesterday, superintendents of police (SP) said that there is a need to start past midnight vehicle checking at Chuzom check post. 

The police officials said that increasing number of criminals involved in offence against cultural and national heritage, burglary, drugs and sandal wood smuggling are using motor vehicles to get away at night.

Home Minister Damcho Dorji said that if police are doing their duty as per the law, there is no objection from the ministry. Police have the right to inspect if they find anything suspicious at any time of the day.

People travel at night for various reasons and it is important that inconveniences are not caused to night travellers, said Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, and added that people travelling at night should also understand that checkings are being carried out for the security of the people and the nation and to reduce the criminal activities.

“Decide on checking times, maybe after every two or three days, but not everyday,” said Lyonpo. “That way, the objective is also achieved and unnecessary inconveniences are not caused to travellers.”

The SPs also reported that there are several lhakhangs in the country without caretaker. It was found that the communities and the gewog administrations are not in a position to look after these lhakhangs which makes them easy target for the criminals.

Lyonpo said the government is concerned about the increasing cases of robbery and vandalism in the country. The ministry will list lhakhangs without caretaker, and if the community can take care of the lhakhangs in their locality, the ministry will ask the people to look after them.

The four-day conference ended yesterday.

By Dechen Tshomo